With the championship lead shifting just four rounds before the season’s end, there are now only 36 points separating the top three contenders. As the season heads into the last standalone race at Interlagos, the pressure intensifies from all sides.
McLaren Drivers’ Response to Lead Change
Lando Norris held the lead in the championship during the first four rounds of this season until he was overtaken by teammate Oscar Piastri in Saudi Arabia. However, Norris’s victory in Mexico allowed him to reclaim the top position by just one point.
The point difference between the two McLaren drivers swelled to 34 points after Norris retired from the Dutch Grand Prix, but he’s since outperformed Piastri at every race, putting him in a strong position with only four races remaining.
It’s crucial to remember how tight the standings are as this illustrates a shift in dynamics within the McLaren team. Norris is no longer the one chasing; instead, he now finds himself as the hunted. He remarked after Zandvoort, “It’s almost a big enough gap now that I can just chill out about it and just go for it.”
Piastri has had a challenging two race weekends, struggling to keep pace with Norris and adjusting his driving style. Nevertheless, initial feedback from McLaren’s Team Principal, Andrea Stella, suggested that improvements were made in Mexico City. Observing how Piastri develops from here and how Norris copes with the pressure of leading the championship will be intriguing.
Verstappen’s Need to Stay Competitive
The Mexico City Grand Prix posed significant challenges for Red Bull and Max Verstappen, yet the defending champion managed to narrow the gap to the championship lead.
Coming into Mexico, Verstappen had clinched three wins and two second-place finishes in the last five rounds, reducing Piastri’s lead down to 40 points. Though he lacked the pace for a win during the weekend, he secured a podium that allowed him to further outscore Piastri, leaving him 36 points behind Norris.
In contrast to last year, when Norris was the one trying to close in on Verstappen from 47 points back, the current year shows how a single race result can dramatically alter the championship landscape. Verstappen is eager to maintain competitiveness as they head to Las Vegas for the final triple-header.
Intense Battles in the Teams’ Championship
While much attention is directed towards the Drivers’ Championship, exciting contests unfold within the Teams’ standings as well.
Currently, Ferrari sits in second place, only a single point ahead of Mercedes in third. Red Bull is also competitive, remaining just 10 points behind Ferrari with several strong finishes in recent races.
The ever-changing performances of the leading teams make it difficult to predict who will come out on top. Although Williams seems to be firmly established in fifth, a fiercely contested battle for sixth place is brewing, with Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, Haas, and Sauber competing closely.
Last year, Alpine made a surprising jump to sixth after securing a double podium. History suggests that Interlagos can provide a chance for substantial points.
Uncertain Driver Futures
The 2025 driver lineup discussions have been less tumultuous than last year, but several uncertainties remain as we approach November regarding where drivers will land next season.
A major focus is the Red Bull driver lineup, as Verstappen’s teammate remains unconfirmed. Yuki Tsunoda presently occupies the seat, although Isack Hadjar is reportedly in contention for a promotion.
Future opportunities are also on the horizon for Alpine, who have yet to confirm the following year’s lineup, with Franco Colapinto trying to retain his position alongside Pierre Gasly, especially with substantial backing anticipated from South American supporters at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
A Sprint Amid Challenging Weather
Reflecting back to last year’s race, the unpredictable weather played a crucial role. With an additional eight points available during the Sprint on Saturday, the previous race faced heavy rain, forcing Qualifying to shift to Sunday morning and complicating the situation further.
Long-range forecasts for the upcoming weekend suggest potential rain and thunderstorms, which often opens the door for unexpected outcomes. Regardless of the weather, the iconic Interlagos circuit and passionate Brazilian fans usually combine to create thrilling races that could be pivotal for the championship.
